By Tom Marshall

The 34-year-old former El Tri captain still harbors hopes of a return to the Mexican national team fold.

Leon’s Rafa Marquez completes 100 games in domestic competition in Mexico on Saturday against Monterrey and isn’t giving up on a recall to the Mexican national team in the twilight of his career.

“I would like to be in the national team, but that does not depend on me,” said the former Barcelona center back in quotes carried widely in the Mexican press. “Those that decide are the ones who manage the national team, the coach and you have to respect it.”

Three World Cup veteran Marquez, 34, has recaptured his form of old so far this Apertura, captaining and completing all six of Leon’s league games following a full preseason.

“I am physically and mentality well, I want to do my talking on the field and that is a reflection of how I feel,” added Marquez. “If it is enough to get into the national team, fine, if not, I’ll keep working.”

Marquez started his career at Atlas, debuting in October 1996, before heading overseas in 1999 and playing for Monaco, Barcelona and New York Red Bulls.

With over 100 Mexico caps behind him, Marquez doesn’t believe he has anything left to prove to Jose Manuel “Chepo” de la Torre and El Tri.

“They know what I have, what I bring,” said the Michoacan native. “I believe I’ve already shown it and I have a career to back it up.”